My Blog Posts

• Iran Blocks U.N. Nuclear Inspectors: What We're Reading Now
  02/03/2012 10:20:21 AM EST
  IRAN Iran Blocks U.N. Nuclear Inspectors
  Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal - February 3, 2012
  Iran denied United Nations inspectors access to a suspected nuclear site, scientists and documents during a visit to Tehran this week, dimming already scant hopes for a breakthrough to end a standoff over Iran's nuclear work, said diplomats briefed on the International Atomic Energy Agency's mission. Panetta believes Israel could strike Iran this spring
  Barbara Starr, CNN (Blog) - February 2, 2012
  U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has come to the conclusion there is a growing likelihood Israel could attack Iran sometime this spring in an effort to destroy its suspected nuclear weapons program, according to a senior administration official. Senate Panel Approves Potentially Toughest Penalty Yet Against Iran’s Wallet
  Rick Gladstone, New York Times - February 2, 2012
  The Senate Banking Committee unanimously approved a new regimen of anti-Iran sanctions on Thursday that would for the first time threaten to punish the global financial telecommunications network that nearly all banks rely on to conduct their daily business. West making case to Israel: Don't attack Iran
  Anne Gearan, Associated Press - February 2, 2012
  Israel's major allies in the West are working hard to talk it out of a unilateral military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, arguing forcefully that an attack ultimately would strengthen, not weaken, the regime in Tehran.
  
• Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs to Build Up Military to Strike Iran: What We're Reading Now
  02/02/2012 09:31:10 AM EST
  IRAN Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs to Build Up Military to Strike Iran
  Jonathan Ferziger and David Lerman, Bloomberg - February 1, 2012
  Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz said his country must build up its military capabilities and be prepared to strike if economic sanctions fail to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. US Navy comes to rescue of Iranian fishing dhow
  Associated Foreign Press - February 1, 2012
  The US Navy has announced that it assisted an Iranian fishing vessel in distress in the Gulf, the fourth such incident this year in an area marked by tension between Washington and Tehran. U.N. Nuclear Monitor Agency Announces Second Visit to Iran
  Rick Gladstone, New York Times - February 1, 2012
  The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday that its inspectors, who had just completed a three-day visit to Iran, would return there in three weeks. A Third Option for Iran
  Richard Haass and Bernard Gwertzman, Council on Foreign Relations - February 1, 2012
  Living with a nuclear-armed Iran or launching a preventive military attack both carry great costs and risks, making it essential to pursue a combination of enhanced sanctions and renewed diplomacy, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.
• UN Official Says New Trip to Iran Planned, Indicating Progress: What We're Reading Now
  02/01/2012 10:18:12 AM EST
  IRAN
  UN Official Says New Trip to Iran Planned, Indicating Progress on Nuclear Issues
  Associated Press - February 1, 2012
  A U.N. nuclear team on Wednesday announced plans to revisit Tehran “in the very near future,” indicating some progress on its quest to wrest information from Iran about allegations that it secretly worked on an atomic arms program. Iran Praises Nuclear Talks with Team from UN
  Rick Gladstone, New York Times - January 31, 2012
  Iran said Tuesday that a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors visiting since the weekend had concluded “constructive and positive” talks with Iranian officials, with further discussions planned at an unspecified date. Intelligence Report Lists Iran and Cyberattacks as Leading Concerns
  Eric Schmitt, New York Times - January 31, 2012
  Some senior Iranian leaders are now more willing to carry out attacks inside the United States in response to perceived American threats against their country, the Obama administration’s top intelligence official said on Tuesday, pointing to last fall’s suspected assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to Washington. Group Urges Credible U.S. Military Threat to Iran
  Arshad Mohammad, Reuters - February 1, 2012
  The United States should deploy ships, step up covert activities and sharpen its rhetoric to make more credible the threat of a U.S. military strike to stop Iran's nuclear program, a bipartisan group said on Wednesday. In Israel, A Nonstop Debate On Possible Iran Strike
  Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, NPR - January 31, 2012
  In Israel, there is daily speculation over whether Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities in the near future. The debate is not only over whether Israel should strike Iran, but what the costs and benefits might be from such a strike.
• Defense Officials Say N.Korea 'Stable': What We're Reading Now
  01/31/2012 10:30:11 AM EST
  KOREAN PENINSULA
  Defense Officials of S.Korea, U.S., Japan Say N. Korea 'Stable'
  Yonhap News Agency - January 31, 2012
  Senior defense officials from South Korea, the U.S. and Japan consider the current North Korean regime "stable" under its new leader Kim Jong-un, sources said Tuesday. Myanmar Denies Trying to Obtain N Korean Nukes
  Times of India - January 31, 2012
  Myanmar President Thein Sein has denied his country is trying to obtain nuclear weapons from North Korea, describing allegations of an illicit programme as "unfounded", in remarks published Tuesday.
  Senior DOD Official Extends Hand to North Korea, Warns Others
  U.S. News and World Report - January 30, 2012
  A senior Pentagon official invited North Korea's new leader to the negotiating table Monday after sternly warning other would-be foes that shrinking defense budgets do not equal an American military in decline.
• Nuclear Inspectors in Iran: What We're Reading Now
  01/30/2012 10:19:59 AM EST
  IRAN
  Nuclear Inspectors in Iran
  Associated Press - January 29, 2012
  Iran’s foreign minister expressed optimism Sunday that a visit by U.N. inspectors to Iran’s nuclear facilities would produce an understanding, despite world concerns that Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons. Pentagon Seeks Mightier Bomb Vs Iran
  Adam Entous and Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal - January 28, 2012
  Pentagon war planners have concluded that their largest conventional bomb isn't yet capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, and are stepping up efforts to make it more powerful, according to U.S. officials briefed on the plan. Iran Hits Back at EU With Own Oil Embargo Threat
  Robin Pomeroy and Hashem Kalantari, Reuters - January 27, 2012
  Fighting sanctions with sanctions in a trial of strength with the West over its nuclear ambitions, Iran warned on Friday it may halt oil exports to Europe next week in a move calculated to hurt ailing European economies.
  U.S., Europe Choose Risky Strategy with Sanctions on Iran
  Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times - January 29, 2012
  Broader restrictions on oil exports and banking may damage the economy enough to force Iran to change course. Or maybe the move will just stir anger.